History
De Beers Canada has had a varied and interesting past that in many ways reflects the history of diamond exploration in Canada. Below is a snap shot of those significant events that helped shape our company and our projects.
2009
- IBA signed with Fort Albany First Nation and Kaschewan First Nation for the Victor Mine
- De Beers Canada and Mountain Province Diamonds revise joint venture partnership for Gahcho Kué
- Gahcho Kué Project enters into Feasibility Study
- Mining Magazine names Victor Mine “2009 Mine of the Year”
2008
- Snap Lake Mine enters production phase January 16th
- Victor Mine enters production phase January 20th
- De Beers Canada celebrates the opening of its first two mines in Canada (Snap Lake Mine July 25th and Victor Mine July 26th)
- Agreement reached with the province of Ontario to make available up to 10% of Victor Mine production, by value, available to the cutting and polishing industry in Ontario
2007
- IBA signed with Lutsel K’e and Kache Dene First Nations for the Snap Lake Mine
- IBAs signed with Moose Cree First Nation for the Victor Mine
- Commissioning of facilities and systems begins for Snap Lake and Victor Mines. Both mines are successful in delivering first production diamonds before the end of the year.
2006
- De Beers Canada divests from the Fort à la Corne Project in Saskatchewan
- Massive airlift campaign begins at Snap Lake to compensate for a shortened winter road season due to warm weather conditions
- IBAs signed with the North Slave Métis Alliance and Tlicho Nation for the Snap Lake Mine
2005
- Impact Benefit Agreement (IBA) signed with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation for the Snap Lake Mine
- Construction begins at Snap Lake Mine
- Environmental Assessment for Victor Mine approved by both federal and provincial governments
- De Beers gives the go-ahead to build Victor Mine
- IBA signed with the Attawapiskat First Nation for the Victor Mine
- Construction begins at Victor Mine
2004
- Permits required to build and operate Snap Lake Mine received May 31
- De Beers gives the go-ahead to build Snap Lake Mine
2001
- Monopros Ltd. is renamed De Beers Canada Exploration
- Underground test work continues at the Snap Lake Mine, refining the models of the kimberlite dyke and diamond grade
2000
- De Beers acquires Winspear Diamonds Inc, and with it, the Snap Lake diamond deposit
1997
- Winspear Diamonds Inc. discovers the Snap Lake diamond deposit
1995
- Kimberlite samples from Attawapiskat are reinterpreted, sparking renewed interest in the region
Early 1990s
- De Beers Canada Exploration enters into the Fort à la Corne joint venture project.
1987
- While working with De Beers Exploration, university student Brad Wood discovers Kimberlite boulders on the Attawapiskat River. Brad was fishing along the river while waiting for the team to return to camp after their weekend break.
1981
- Diapros Canada Ltd. is renamed Monopros Ltd.
1969
- De Beers fully acquires the Canadian Rock Company and renames it Diapros Canada Ltd.
Mid-1960s
- First kimberlite discoveries. To date, more than 200 kimberlites have been identified by the company in Canada.
1964
- De Beers continues to invest in Canadian diamond exploration through the majority owned Canadian Rock Company.
1961
- De Beers carries out first exploration program in Canada through an Anglo American Corporation subsidiary known as Hard Metals Canada Ltd.
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